Horn-button-switch assembly



Feb, 10, 1931. H. M. DENYE-S HORN aumou SWITCH ASSEMBLY Original Filed Oct. 22, 1924 dawns Patented Feb. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES HARRY M. DENYES, OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL MOTORS COR-- PATENT] OFFICE PORATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE HoRN-BUr'ron-swrron' ASSEMBLY Original application filed October 22, 1924, Serial No. 745,163. Divided and this application filed October This invention relates to switches and particularly to switches mounted on the top of the steering column of an automotive vehicle for actuation of the electrically operated sig- 11:11.

It is an object of the invention to produce a new and improved horn button assembly which is efficient in operation and economical to manufacture. More particularly the invention contemplates the elimination of some of the usual parts which have hitherto been considered necessary in horn buttons.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a part of the top of a steering column embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view on asmaller scale, illustrating my invention applied to a different form of steering wheel assembly.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the wiring system of the horn.

This case is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 745,163, filed October 22, 1924, to which reference may be had.

I have illustrated in Figure 1 a hollow shaft 10 keyed to the steering wheel 12. Floating within the shaft 10 is a tubular control shaft 16 having a bearing formed by an interposed bushing 18 fixed to shaft 16 at its upper end. Shaft 16 extends beyond shaft 10 at its upper end and has fixed thereto a control member or lever 20 provided in its upper or outer portion with a boss 22 containing a recess for receiving the switch mechanism. Shaft 16 is the usual throttle control shaft.

Extending through the control shaft 16 is an insulated wire 24, connected with the horn 23 and suitable source of electric current 21 (see Fig. 3) the upper uninsulated portion of which extends within the hollow shank or stem 25 of the button 26 where it is held in position by a screw 28 extended through a slot in insulator plug 30 and threaded into the side of shank 25. The button 26 may be entirely of metal or it may be of any well known insulating material provided with a Serial No. 224,704.

metal lining such as one or more metal strips connected with the set screw 28 and extending alongthe under side of the button to a position adjacent the rim of boss 22. The shank 25 passes through an opening in the insulator plug 30 which is held in position by means of a screw 23-extending through the side of boss 22. A coil spring 34 surrounds the shank 25 above the insulator plug and constantly urges the button 26 away from the boss Escape of the button from the insulating plug is prevented by the set screw 28 contactingagainst the upper side of the slot in the insulating plug 30.

'By the structure just described it will be understood that when the operator presses on the button26 the underside thereof touches the boss22 and contact is established between wire 24 and boss 22 which is grounded by contact with the metallic part of the vehicle chassis, thus causing the signal to operate. When the operator releases the pressure on the button 26, spring 34 pushes the button outward, thus disestablishing contact between the boss 22 and wire 24 and causing the signal to cease operating. A diagrammatic illustration of the wiring system is given in Figure 3.

In Figure '2 I have illustrated my invention as applied to the top of a steering wheel column containing both a throttle control and a spark control, instead of only the former as shown in Figure 1. In this view I have shown the usual hollow shaft 50 connected with steering wheel 52 and surrounded by the usual tubular casing 54. Within shaft 50 and journaled in a bearing formed by bushing 50 is a tubular shaft 58 which extends above shaft 50 and has fixed to the extended portion thereof an operating arm or lever 60. Within shaft 50 is a smaller shaft 62 journaled in a bearing formed by a bushing 64 within shaft 58. Shaft 62 extends above the end of shaft 58 and has fixed thereto a casting 66 which includes an operating handle 68jand a boss 70 for accommodating the switch mechanism (not shown) and the horn button 72. Shafts 58 and 62 are the operating shafts for the throttle and spark controls.

I claim:

1. The combination with a hollow steering shaft having a steering wheel fixed thereon and a tubular shaft therein having at its upper end an upwardly projecting. boss containing a central recess of an insulating base in said recess, a conductor button covering the recess and having a shank extending therein to and connected with the "base for limited axial reciprocation, means resiliently urging said button upward. but depressible to permit said button to be electrically connected with said boss, and an insulated 0011- ductor passing through said tubular shaft and connected with the conductor button.

2. The combination with a steering mechanism comprising a hollow steering shaft having a steering wheel fixed thereon, a tubular shaft within the steering shaft and having at its upper end an upwardlyprojectingboss containing a central recess communicating with the interior of said tubular shaft of an insulating amembe'r' mounted in said recess and provided with an axially'extending opening, a conductor button covering the recess and having a shank extending through said opening, means resiliently urging said button away from said boss, means limiting said movement, and an insulated conductor passing through said tubular shaft and connected with the shank of said conductor button.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARRY M; DENYES. 

